Recipe
Red St John's wort flower oil
- Herb:
- St John's wort Hypericum perforatum
- Method:
- Herbal oil
- Plant part:
- Flower
About 40 minIntermediateRecipe science profile
Procedure
- Fill a jar with flowers and cover with good plant oil (olive or sunflower) so they stay submerged.
- Macerate 4–6 weeks in direct sun or on a warm windowsill, shaking daily — the oil turns red.
- Strain through cloth, store cool and dark; use on intact skin only.
Extraction
- Herb:
- proportions according to the recipe steps on the card
- Solvent:
- medium composition (water, alcohol, oil, honey…) see the individual steps
- Shelf life:
- after preparation, store hygienically and according to the type of product (cool conditions, light, alcohol)
- Target compounds:
- indicative home extraction — the profile depends on temperature, cutting time and proportions
Notes
Photosensitivity and drug interactions — see the herb card; avoid sun after application.
Why it works
Traditional red St John's wort oil depends on light-driven changes in dissolved pigments and an oil-soluble plant fraction; photosensitisation risk can remain relevant depending on plant part, sun exposure during maceration, and skin status. External use on intact skin only; avoid sun after application and check drug interactions on the herb card.
Related
St John's wort — Herb card
Herbal oil — Processing method detail